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2 hours ago, Mike 84C said:

The mention of Healings flour mill, brought back memories of delivering wheat there. One time the river was so high that the barges that brought wheat from Avonmouth were on a level with the lorry park and the decks way above! And all the meadows opposite like a brown lake.

Seen the barges on the Severn on multiple occasions

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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, 46444 said:

Good evening Tony.

 

I am considering purchasing a temperature controlled soldering iron for etched brass and whitemetal working.

 

I am thinking of purchasing this Antex model:

 

https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-7bnxp-hke3z-ndrtm-cjw7g-cws4k-56tfy-djrm2

 

Would more knowledgable modellers be able to comment on its suitability.

 

I am not planning on competing with Tony on his level of producing completed kits by the way.

 

As a starter and introduction into etched brass kit building I am considering buiding this RT Models LT Hurst-Nelson brake van kit.

 

https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/london transport hurst nelson brake van kit.jpg

 

I currently have a general purpose 18W Antex iron by the way.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Good evening Mark,

 

It looks an excellent purchase. I've used an Antex temperature-controlled iron (50Watt) for over a quarter of a century without any problems (apart from one iron packing up, though easily replaced - not the main control box).

 

I also use an Xytronic LF-389D 60Watt temperature-controlled iron, available from Hobby Holidays.

 

I hope this helps. You'll certainly need more than 18W!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited by Tony Wright
to add something
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18 hours ago, 46444 said:

Good evening Tony.

 

I am considering purchasing a temperature controlled soldering iron for etched brass and whitemetal working.

 

I am thinking of purchasing this Antex model:

 

https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-7bnxp-hke3z-ndrtm-cjw7g-cws4k-56tfy-djrm2

 

Would more knowledgable modellers be able to comment on its suitability.

 

I am not planning on competing with Tony on his level of producing completed kits by the way.

 

As a starter and introduction into etched brass kit building I am considering buiding this RT Models LT Hurst-Nelson brake van kit.

 

https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/london transport hurst nelson brake van kit.jpg

 

I currently have a general purpose 18W Antex iron by the way.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

If I may,  I’ve seen very good results from simple stupid Soldering guns.  One Paul Budzik has made incredibly fine and precise work with a 300 watt Weller D650.


 I bought the D650’s smaller brother, the 140 watt 8200 (for about £25 I should add), and even though I need new/decent tips and I’d still like a D650, I can tell you that it’ll power through anything in its way (on the first run with a corroded, non Weller tip, it easily melted a large chunk of lead like it was a blowtorch)

 

Temperature control is by slackening/tightening the nuts that hold the tips on, and you’ll know if your using a non genuine tip, because it’ll slowly melt into nothing over the course of a month of use!  In doubt, go with more power, as it gives you more flexibility and tolerance for flaws in technique.

Edited by 1471SirFrederickBanbury
Forgot to add about how cheap a good soldering gun can be
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2 hours ago, 46444 said:

Good evening Tony.

 

I am considering purchasing a temperature controlled soldering iron for etched brass and whitemetal working.

 

I am thinking of purchasing this Antex model:

 

https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-7bnxp-hke3z-ndrtm-cjw7g-cws4k-56tfy-djrm2

 

Would more knowledgable modellers be able to comment on its suitability.

 

I am not planning on competing with Tony on his level of producing completed kits by the way.

 

As a starter and introduction into etched brass kit building I am considering buiding this RT Models LT Hurst-Nelson brake van kit.

 

https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/london transport hurst nelson brake van kit.jpg

 

I currently have a general purpose 18W Antex iron by the way.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

 

Sadly Antex aren't what they used to be. I have two - one is older than me and still works fine - but is low wattage so doesn't get used often. The other is one of these - https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-y7lr5-wh7k3-t9ktb

 

I had to have the flex changed under warranty, and then I had to do it again a year or so later. I couldn't tell you the last time I used it.

 

I can recommend this however (and it was bought after a recommendation on here) - https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-premier75w-digital-temperature-controlled-solder-station-with-75w-soldering-iron

 

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10 minutes ago, Bucoops said:

 

Sadly Antex aren't what they used to be. I have two - one is older than me and still works fine - but is low wattage so doesn't get used often. The other is one of these - https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-y7lr5-wh7k3-t9ktb

 

I had to have the flex changed under warranty, and then I had to do it again a year or so later. I couldn't tell you the last time I used it.

 

I can recommend this however (and it was bought after a recommendation on here) - https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-premier75w-digital-temperature-controlled-solder-station-with-75w-soldering-iron

 

 

I will second that recommendation.  Excellent products.  Changed my soldering from Mr Blobby to clean and neat.

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6 hours ago, Bucoops said:

 

Sadly Antex aren't what they used to be. I have two - one is older than me and still works fine - but is low wattage so doesn't get used often. The other is one of these - https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-y7lr5-wh7k3-t9ktb

 

Rumour has it (from a very respected member of RMWeb) that the bits are not what they used to be either.

 

6 hours ago, Bucoops said:

I can recommend this however (and it was bought after a recommendation on here) - https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/csi-premier75w-digital-temperature-controlled-solder-station-with-75w-soldering-iron

 

 

I can recommend this** - I have one and whilst I can't claim to have used it a lot as yet (though it has been to Missenden Abbey twice/three times already) it's done everything I could want of it); spares (such as a spare handle) also seem to be readily available and a wide range of tips is available at a very fair price.  The heat-up time is very, very quick as well:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08KS9SG7W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

The fifty quid you'll save over the Antex will buy a lot of spare tips.....

 

** Chosen after a LOT of research on the 'net.

 

HTH

Brian

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On 24/07/2024 at 00:02, manna said:

G'Day Folks

 

Earlier year I had to spend money on New tyres, and waited for the tyre fitters to do their job, so I walked the dog around the expansive yard, while there I picked up many lead weights that littered the yard, I now have a couple of Kilo's of lead for future use.

 

Terry (aka manna)

 

Assuming Aussie Lead weights are the same as UK ones, the clip on ones with a steel clamp can easily be melted down into ingots or any shape you like with a simple Butane Gas Blowlamp.  I make a wooden "Mould" and melt them and let the residue drip into the mould then File to shape with a coarse wood rasp.  Works for lead waste pipes even incredibly gungy ones which magically transform into shiny metal.  I find the stick on ones are less dense and you need more for the same weight compared to the clip on ones.    I used to drive Tyre fitters apoplectic by not having my tires balanced.  Quite often the balance is fairly close and as long as the wheel is true won't need balancing. We used to get a lot of complaints at work as tyres balanced on out static balancer went out of balance very quickly after fitting, so Jack, my boss would not do a balance, give the car a run and see if it needed any balance and 9 times out of 10 it was fine.  If not we had an on car balancer as well as a static.   Most tyre shops only have off car balancers. 

They make their money from Balancing and alignment. I have my own alignment kit (Dunlop) and do my own alignment. My steering wheels are always straight when going straight, and turns the same number of turns left as it does right  Usually to the most parallel tolerance on the spec sheet as my driving is predominantly on straight fast roads and usually I scrap tyres because the whole tyre has worn out not just an inner or outer  shoulder, it shows I'm on the right track

 

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14 hours ago, lezz01 said:

It's not the chip that worries me it's fitting a worthwhile speaker that's the problem. There is plenty of room in the 1F but the two I have already built have all of the empty space filled with lead that is glued in hard and fast as DCC wasn't around when I built them and retrofitting chips and speakers wasn't on the horizon. I doubt that I can remove it without destroying the loco body. The problem with the Johnson dock tank is there isn't anywhere to put either a chip or speaker without milling out the tank as there isn't much of a cab on them. The Deeley one would be fine for chipping and speaker fitting but I'm a little gun shy of the Walschaerts valve gear as it's very, very small and the mince pies ain't what they used to be. Mind you Dave Basford has done a very nice etched brass kit for the Johnson so maybe that's the answer.

Regards Lez.    


I’d agree that retro fitting a speaker is tricky - not a problem if planned from the start. I’m not particularly interested in sound but am a complete convert to squeezing some stay alive capacitors in to my smaller 2FS locos which transform reliability. Like your speakers, space can usually be found if planned from the start - much more challenging when you’ve already shoehorned as much weight in as possible!

 

Jerry

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13 hours ago, 46444 said:

Good evening Tony.

 

I am considering purchasing a temperature controlled soldering iron for etched brass and whitemetal working.

 

I am thinking of purchasing this Antex model:

 

https://www.antex.co.uk/store/p/m12-w9wdk-mg96e-7bnxp-hke3z-ndrtm-cjw7g-cws4k-56tfy-djrm2

 

Would more knowledgable modellers be able to comment on its suitability.

 

I am not planning on competing with Tony on his level of producing completed kits by the way.

 

As a starter and introduction into etched brass kit building I am considering buiding this RT Models LT Hurst-Nelson brake van kit.

 

https://www.rtmodels.co.uk/london transport hurst nelson brake van kit.jpg

 

I currently have a general purpose 18W Antex iron by the way.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

 

I treated myself to the digital version at Christmas - 690D Digital Soldering Station from Antex : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools   It heats up very quickly and so far has been perfect for soldering droppers (plus a couple of other non-railway related jobs).  I recently bought a couple of Comet coach kits so I'll be starting on those when the weather gets too cold for building the railway in the garage, 

 

Graeme

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Not having dabbled in chassis construction for several years, I am planning to build a Dave Bradwell chassis for my J39. I have been advised to fit a High-level roadrunner+ gearbox and I will use the Romford axles and wheels I have in stock. Am I correct in thinking that the gearbox option I need to order is to fit a 3mm axle diameter as I think Romford are 1/8”?  The High-level website suggests 3mm is an uncommon size - common sizes being 1.5 mm and 2 mm. Can anyone please advise me and is my plan a good one?

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Posted (edited)
21 minutes ago, coronach said:

Not having dabbled in chassis construction for several years, I am planning to build a Dave Bradwell chassis for my J39. I have been advised to fit a High-level roadrunner+ gearbox and I will use the Romford axles and wheels I have in stock. Am I correct in thinking that the gearbox option I need to order is to fit a 3mm axle diameter as I think Romford are 1/8”?  The High-level website suggests 3mm is an uncommon size - common sizes being 1.5 mm and 2 mm. Can anyone please advise me and is my plan a good one?

 

The 1.5mm and 2mm are motor shaft diameter (worm bore). There is the 1/8" option for axles. Sorry about the huge picture.

 

image.png.24498363824459a08ed03225fee80837.png

Edited by Bucoops
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1 hour ago, coronach said:

Not having dabbled in chassis construction for several years, I am planning to build a Dave Bradwell chassis for my J39. I have been advised to fit a High-level roadrunner+ gearbox and I will use the Romford axles and wheels I have in stock. Am I correct in thinking that the gearbox option I need to order is to fit a 3mm axle diameter as I think Romford are 1/8”?  The High-level website suggests 3mm is an uncommon size - common sizes being 1.5 mm and 2 mm. Can anyone please advise me and is my plan a good one?

Romford and Markits axles are 1/8" and indeed this is still the most common axle size. You can indeed get 3mm axles from the main wheel manufacturers, but you should still check the diameter of your existing wheels, just to be sure. High Level can supply for driving axles of 1/8" or 3mm.

 

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8 minutes ago, Northmoor said:

During a visit to Dad over the weekend I found the part-built "Claud" he'd picked up at least ten years ago, which I thought was from a Little Engines kit but now think it might be much older (and not just because of the box it comes in, or parts with price in old pence.....  It's been rather nicely assembled, but there is no chassis for loco or tender so that's going to position it to the right on my learning curve, although wheels for bogie and tender are completed.  Anyone recognise the motor?

 

IMG_2676.JPG.e2ced7ca3c70043ef72f5c72dc36c4c4.JPG

 

IMG_2678.JPG.603f5030bebb5743bc13ece766aa8438.JPG

 

I wonder if it is a Mallard/Blacksmith kit? It looks very similar to the ones I have.

 

Mark who now owns Blacksmith supplied a chassis etch a while back - mark seward <info@blacksmithmodels.co.uk>

 

441019899_429816329804366_7553484589654092730_n.jpg.0f560bf7541bd1c21ebcd6b8ac841f4a.jpg

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32 minutes ago, Bucoops said:

 

I wonder if it is a Mallard/Blacksmith kit? It looks very similar to the ones I have.

 

Mark who now owns Blacksmith supplied a chassis etch a while back - mark seward <info@blacksmithmodels.co.uk>

 

441019899_429816329804366_7553484589654092730_n.jpg.0f560bf7541bd1c21ebcd6b8ac841f4a.jpg

 

Could the motor be Hornby Dublo?

 

CJI.

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17 minutes ago, John Isherwood said:

 

Could the motor be Hornby Dublo?

 

CJI.

Yes, looks like a 1/2" from 8f/Castle before they went to the ringfield.

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2 hours ago, coronach said:

Not having dabbled in chassis construction for several years, I am planning to build a Dave Bradwell chassis for my J39. I have been advised to fit a High-level roadrunner+ gearbox and I will use the Romford axles and wheels I have in stock. Am I correct in thinking that the gearbox option I need to order is to fit a 3mm axle diameter as I think Romford are 1/8”?  The High-level website suggests 3mm is an uncommon size - common sizes being 1.5 mm and 2 mm. Can anyone please advise me and is my plan a good one?

Hi,

there are three parameters you need to specify:  the axle diameter which will be 1/8th inch, the motor shaft diameter which depends on the motor you are using (1.5 or 2mm) and the gear ratio.  The ratio will depend on what the loco will be required to do and the nominal speed of the motor under load.  I would recommend buying a High Level coreless motor (1320 or 1219 both have a shaft diameter of 1.5mm) and either 40/1 ratio for a Roundy-Roundy  layout or 60/1 excellent for shunting but a lower top speed.  
Frank

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44 minutes ago, John Isherwood said:

 

Could the motor be Hornby Dublo?

 

CJI.

It's the 1/2" Hornby Dublo - Wrenn motor from the pre ringfield  8F and Castle, the R1 and the Wrenn N2 (which had a stretched R1 chassis.  A very nice solid motor with singe start worm so a lot lower geared than a X04.  The motor takes the 5 pole double ended armature  from the Airfix MRRC range if the armature shaft is shortened , NOT the X04 clone which has an armature which is too short, that makes it lovely and smooth if gutless .

The Claud is beautiful, almost a shame to paint it.  It might be possible to drive the leading coupled axle  with a motor in the smokebox as per the Guy Williams book, or from the tender with a drive shaft under the floor a la original  Pendon 28XX but otherwise you risk a cab full of motor.  I would stick with a heritage motor, some of my H/D motors are 60 years old and still going strong while my DS10 and 11 are in the scrap box.  The Airfix 14XX motor works well as a Tender motor / loco drive solution.  The Comet chassis is a nice display solution but in my experience hopeless for hauling trains especially when compensated as wear rapidly builds up and running deteriorates to be worse than 1960s RTR   Couplingrods and crank pins are particuar weaak spots.

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On 06/08/2024 at 22:33, sandra said:

Hello Tony,

 This is a DJH A3 I bought off eBay.

IMG_1674.jpeg.96adfaebbb854ff27b4d78c937d649b3.jpegIt isn’t finished yet but here she is hauling the up “Heart of Midlothian” a 13 coach train. I bought the locomotive in a built condition but as I’ve almost completely rebuilt it I am counting it as one built by me. It will become 60063 “Isinglass”.

Sandra

I have a horrible feeling that the cab is as per the first batch of  A1's to the GNR loading gauge.  They didn't stay that way for long being cut down to the LNER composite loading gauge  by lowering the cab roof and I suspect shortening the cab sides which made them look more muscular and powerful

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9 hours ago, Bucoops said:

 

 

441019899_429816329804366_7553484589654092730_n.jpg.0f560bf7541bd1c21ebcd6b8ac841f4a.jpg


I’ve noticed some unusual about this chassis etch.  The driving wheel axles drop in from the top.  Interesting idea, though does it make setting a chassis up any easier?

 

Paul

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Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, Flying Fox 34F said:


I’ve noticed some unusual about this chassis etch.  The driving wheel axles drop in from the top.  Interesting idea, though does it make setting a chassis up any easier?

 

Paul

 

Designed to be sprung perhaps?  Seems unusual though.

Edited by polybear
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